Ogden officers wear pink badges for breast cancer awareness

OGDEN, Utah — Residents of Ogden might have noticed a flash of pink on the uniforms of Ogden Police officers this month. The officers have donned pink badges to support breast cancer awareness. 

Lt. Will Farr said the police chief authorized the officers to wear pink badges through the end of the month. October is breast cancer awareness month. Farr said the act has been well received. 

“There’s been a lot of people who are really happy to see that something that we’re supporting,” said Farr. 

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer impacts men far less often, about 1 in 833 men are diagnosed. 

Farr was not aware of any Ogden officers who have battled breast cancer, however, some of their wives have.

“There have been officers’ wives that we’ve been in support of who have gone through the battle of breast cancer and come out on the other side, surviving,” said Farr. 

Tradition of support

The department started the tradition of supporting breast cancer awareness several years ago. 

“Chief Watt felt that it was important for us to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So what he ended up doing is he bought pink patches for everyone for the side of the uniform,” said Farr.

“Fast forward a few years later and Chief Young continued to keep the pink patches as something that people could wear, but he also felt like it was important enough that he would open up the idea of having pink badges as well.”

According to Farr, the department authorized to officers wear the badges this month and during Octobers to come.

“I don’t think that there’s been a single human, probably officer that hasn’t had someone that they know or someone that they love who hasn’t been affected by breast cancer,” said Farr.

Related:

• The importance of breast cancer screening
• BYU professors help in national cancer study
• Intermountain expands breast cancer appointments to Saturdays